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Audience Analysis For Translation Workers

As a professional translator, many times you will find that in your duties, audience analysis is an essential component in planning your translation or professional communications. As a professional translation worker, it is wise to keep the intended target audience member in the center of your thoughts. As one Atlanta translation professional explains, you should be conscious of the many situations when you believe that your audience doesn’t fully grasp your ideas. Any time you plan to write or speak, envision yourself having a conversation with your international, foreign language speaking audience. One professor of Chinese translation provides a several questions that audience members might ask you. These questions aren’t only theoretical; audience members might actually be asking themselves these questions as they make an effort to fully grasp your document or presentation.

You’ve got innovative ideas to share with your audience. Be certain that your ideas are introduced in a manner that your audience can completely understand because they are attempting to combine your thoughts to their own thinking. A veteran San Francisco translator reminds readers that while your audience is attempting to pay attention and focus on your presentation, they will also be questioning your ideas and beliefs. For that reason, he provides a few of those questions here and a few of the ways you might reply to them.

Questions From The Audience

So what? This is an important question. Ensure that your audience is conscious of the significance and implications of the information you present. Once you’ve investigated, assessed, synthesized, and clarified your own thoughts, you may have an inclination to believe that other people will appreciate and grasp the material as quickly as you do and promote your beliefs. These types of assumptions are among the most common pitfalls into which translators fall.

Why do I find this important? Indicate where the audience’s concerns are involved. A majority of the intended audience will never analyze a document or listen closely to a presentation unless they feel it is made up of data that is important to them. When you show that what you are implying is in the audience’s best interest, it’s likely you’ll stimulate them to pay close attention.

When can you tell that what you are saying is valid? Supply the necessary facts. Can you back up your claims with the necessary facts to prove your point? What types of information and what sorts of resources will your target audience approve?